A Myanmar delegation led by Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr Ye Tint Tun attended the 2026 International Tea Day ceremony held in Nanning, China, on 20 May.
The event, themed “Silk Road Tea Aroma, Intelligence for Shared Prosperity”, was attended by officials, tea experts, researchers, business representatives, and delegates from ASEAN countries, Kenya, and the FAO, and Deputy Minister Dr Ye Tint Tun delivered remarks at the ceremony.
The delegation also visited tea exhibition booths at Liyuan International Conference Centre, and observed jasmine tea production facilities and jasmine plantations at the National Modern Agricultural Industrial Park.
On 21 May, they visited the China-ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Innovation Cooperation Centre and observed AI applications in agriculture and information technology cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.
The delegation arrived back in Myanmar yesterday. — MNA/KTZH

gnlm

The 7th International Tea Day, the China-Myanmar Cultural Salon of Tea for Harmony 2026, took place at the National Museum in Yangon yesterday.
The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy to Myanmar and Myanmar Tea Association (MTA), and supported by the National Museum (Yangon), China Media Group (CMG), Myanmar Anhui Chamber of Commerce, Myanmar Yunnan Chamber of Commerce, Myanmar Bowen School and GESC. More than 300 representatives from China-Myanmar governmental departments, organizations, schools, companies and media.
The attendees discussed tea culture, development measures for the tea sector, consumption, health and enhancement of cooperation.
The event also showcased tea beverages and cuisines, cultural performances such as music of Chinese Guzheng, Erhu and Myanmar harp, tea dance, Yijinjing, Paper-cutting, and Tea Ceremony. — Bala/KTZH

gnlm

Myanmar students from the University of International Business and Economics showcased and sold traditional Myanmar food at the 22nd International Youth Cultural Festival held in Beijing.
The festival, themed “Lead the Tide, Embrace the World”, was held at the university on 14 May and was attended by the Myanmar ambassador to China.
The ambassador visited the Myanmar food exhibition booth and delivered remarks to Myanmar students studying at the university.
University Council Chairman Mr Huang Baoyin, ambassadors from foreign embassies based in Beijing, and diplomats from more than 100 countries also attended the event. — ASH/KZL

gnlm

The UNESCO nomination of Myanmar’s traditional Htamanè culture as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is planned for 2027, according to the Ministry of Hotels, Tourism and Culture.
“Thingyan has already been inscribed as an intangible cultural heritage. Thanaka has already been submitted as well. Laphet culture has also been submitted. A proposal has been prepared to submit Htamanè next year. We plan to continue submitting disappearing traditional Myanmar customs every year, whether they are related to food culture or handicrafts. However, it has not yet been confirmed which subject will be given priority for submission. For next year, Htamanè has been selected as the proposed nomination,” an official from the Ministry of Hotels, Tourism and Culture said.
In 2024, the traditional Myanmar New Year Ata Thingyan Festival was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for the first time. Afterwards, the traditional practice of applying Myanmar Thanaka was submitted for a second nomination, and it is expected that confirmation of whether it will be accepted by UNESCO will be known in December 2026.
This year, Myanmar’s Laphet culture has also been submitted to UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A total of 2,289 cultural heritage items have already been recorded on the national heritage list.
According to the policy for nominations to UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, only one cultural element may be submitted either each year or once every two years.
UNESCO established the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Convention in 2003, and Myanmar became a signatory to the convention in 2013. — ASH/MKKS

gnlm

In Bagan, home to many of Myanmar’s cultural heritage, Myinkaba Village continues to preserve nine out of ten of the traditional arts and crafts (ten floral arts).
The village operates Pabe (blacksmithing/ironwork), Pabu (sculpturing/wood carving), Patain (goldsmithing/silversmithing), Pachi (painting), Payun (lacquerware crafting/gilding), Papoot (stone carving/stone masonry), Patawt (ornamental turning/lathe work), Pantamawt (stone sculpturing) and Payan (bricklaying/masonry) except Patin. During the reign of King Kyansittha, the ten traditional arts and crafts were strongly supported and encouraged. Today, nine traditional arts and crafts have continued to survive in Myinkaba Village (also known as Anuradha).
As the rainy season begins and travellers’ arrivals to Bagan decline, villages around the Bagan area rely more on home-based handicraft businesses than tourism for their income; meanwhile, painting and colouring wooden sculptures becomes the most common seasonal work during this period.
“If we talk about traditional handicrafts in Bagan, Myinkaba Village is probably the most prominent place. During this season, many people work on colouring carved wooden sculptures. This belongs to the sculpture and painting crafts included in the ten traditional arts. In NyaungU, artisans from Mandalay and local craftsmen carve scenes from the life of Buddha and Jataka tales, then send them to Myinkaba village for colouring. Since skilled painters live here, the village receives sculpture works every year because the colouring process is extremely important for products sold both domestically and internationally. Since this village has many handicraft artisans, it is a source of pride for the Bagan region as these nine traditional crafts can still be found here without losing their original style,” said U Zeya Than, local artisan from Myinkaba village.
Most of the sculptures are carved from teak wood and depict scenes such as the Ten Jataka Tales, the life of Buddha, Buddha’s descent from heaven to the human world, King Sivi, the five ascetics, Ajatasattu, Buddha’s renunciation, the five hundred carts episode, and other traditional themes.
These sculptures range in size from one foot to twenty feet in length and are sold for prices ranging from K1.5 million to over K10 million. They are highly valued and displayed in hotels, guesthouses, homes, and religious buildings as works of Myanmar cultural art. Artists who specialize in colouring the sculptures can earn between K500,000 and K5 million per project.
Visitor arrivals to the Bagan Ancient Cultural Heritage Zone usually decline from late April to July, and sculpture business owners from NyaungU invest capital into carving and painting works, then sell them again to domestic and international tourists during the open season. — Thitsa (MNA)/KTZH

gnlm

Myanmar, India, and Thailand are collaborating to submit a tentative list for the transnational nomination of Mahabodhi temples in the Indian Ocean region to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The three countries are working together on a “serial nomination” for the Mahabodhi temples, which includes the Mahabodhi temples in Bagan and Bago in Myanmar, the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya in India, and Wat Chet Yot (Wat Ched Yod) in Chiang Mai in Thailand, according to U Nyi Mon, director of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch).
The department prepares the necessary documentation, conducts preservation and research, and facilitates coordination meetings to ensure the success of the nomination. On 9 March, a meeting was held at the Bagan Branch office with the members of the Mandalay Region Cultural Heritage Preservation Committee, the Mahabodhi Temple Board of Trustees, representatives from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and officials from the Bagan Branch.
To facilitate the submission of the tentative list, teams formed by the Department are currently gathering data, documenting sites, capturing drone footage, and preparing maps.
From 20 to 22 April 2026, in Yangon, the officials from the Yangon, Bagan, and Bago branches, along with representatives from the Bagan Heritage Trust and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), led by the Deputy Director-General (Museums) and archaeological advisor Dr Thein Lwin, discussed the drafting of the nomination dossier, boundary maps, the selection of criteria, data assessment, and the collection of photographic, video documentation and preservation. They also conducted a field visit to the Mahabodhi temple in Bago.
Preserving national heritage sites and working toward the inclusion on the World Heritage List helps safeguard national prestige. Therefore, the public is encouraged to cooperate in preserving and protecting heritage sites for long-term sustainability, enhancing national pride, promoting tourism development and increasing State income through collective participation and conservation efforts. — Dipa Lin/KTZH

gnlm

Taungdwingyi Township in Magway Region was once known as Ponnyawady during the Pyu era. About 10 miles west of Taungdwingyi (Ponnyawady) lies the ancient Pyu city of Beikthano, one of Myanmar’s most remarkable archaeological heritage sites, famous for its culture of the Pyu people. The ancient city stretches about three kilometres from north to south and 2.8 kilometres from east to west, covering a total area of about 900 square kilometres in a rectangular shape.
Beikthano was established with three city walls. The surrounding landscape centres around the Yin Creek plain, with Taungdwingyi located to the east, while the Yin, Saton, Yanpal creeks and Taung Oo converge in the west. It is also a city with fertile soil, and there is a grand palace constructed with rectangular-shaped bricks at the centre of the ancient city.
The history of Beikthano ancient city can be seen in the book History of Taungdwingyi by Nay Myo Min Hla Thiri Athinkhaya, title recipient Myay Latt Sit Kae Gyi of the King Mindon term. It reads Maha Thabawa and the ogress Sandamukhi fell in love and had a daughter, who was abandoned by her mother and later adopted by a hermit. As the girl grew up, it was said that in a previous life she had offered palm leaves to the Buddha and made a wish. Because of her devotion, the Beikthano created a royal city and throne for her, and she became known as Princess Panhtwar.
King Duthtaboung of Sri Ksetra attempted to conquer Beikthano, and Princess Panhtwar played the drum given by the King of the Celestial. Meanwhile, the water of Yanpal Creek began to rise, and King Duthtaboung and his soldiers retreated. Later, King Duthtaboung used a strategy to sabotage the drum, won the war and took Princess Panhtwar to Sri Ksetra.

The Beikthano Ancient City was officially recognized as one of the Pyu Ancient Cities on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 22 June 2014, during the 38th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Doha, Qatar.
The Beikthano Archaeological Museum displays a total of 497 artefacts including artefacts of the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age, fossils, models of traditional houses, literary evidence excavated from the site, Pyu inscriptions, Pyu-era bricks, coins, beads, and evidence of ancient Pyu craftsmanship such as goldsmithing, masonry, architecture, carpentry, stone carving, bead making, weaving, and brick production. These findings indicate that the Pyu people had already mastered the traditional “Ten Flowers”, Myanmar traditional arts and crafts and had achieved a high level of civilization in ancient times.
Research findings suggest that Beikthano emerged before the 2nd century BC, making it one of the earliest urban civilizations established in South-East Asia. As a city rich in history and cultural heritage, Beikthano Ancient City in Taungdwingyi Township, Magway Region, stands as an important World Heritage site, inviting visitors to explore the origins and achievements of the Pyu civilization. — Naung Naung (Beikthano Myay)/KTZH

gnlm

The Myanmar-Japan Alliance Business Association (MABA) has announced that it will host the Mandalay-Japan Festival & MABA 10th Anniversary Ceremony, an event designed to serve as a bridge between Myanmar and Japan.
The festival is open to the public with free admission and will take place on 6 and 7 June at Mingalar Mandalay. The event will feature exhibitions of Japanese products, Myanmar local products and regional businesses, food and lifestyle experiences, a tourism promotion zone, education and vocational training schools, and entertainment and cultural performances.
The event marks the 10th anniversary of MABA, celebrating a decade of achievements across business, culture, education, tourism, and community networking. The organizers aim to create a strong bridge for bilateral culture and business opportunities by bringing together Myanmar’s cultural heritage, Japanese traditions, entrepreneurs, investors, organizations, young professionals, and the general public in one location.
MABA expects over 10,000 visitors to attend the festival. It is envisioned as a significant event that fosters deeper connections between the two nations.
Attendees will have the chance to experience high-quality products and exciting programmes while enjoying the liveliness of Mandalay and the beauty of Japanese culture in a single venue. — MT/ZN

gnlm

The Myanmar Embassy to the Republic of Korea participated in the Embassy Zone at the Seoul Friendship Festival (SFF) 2026, organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, by displaying traditional Myanmar cultural artworks, traditional cultural items, and souvenir gifts, according to the Myanmar Embassy to ROK.
Myanmar’s Chargé d’Affaires at interim and Ambassador to South Korea U Myo Myint Maung joined the event held on 9 May and warmly greeted the Vice-Mayor of Seoul Metropolitan City Mr Park Chan-gu.
The festival was attended by participants from 72 embassies.  Coinciding with the 30th Anniversary, this year’s festival was held for two days at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul under the theme “30 Years with the World, Bridging Culture Together”.
At the Opening Ceremony of Seoul Friendship Festival 2026, Mr Park Chan-gu, Vice-Mayor of Seoul Metropolitan City, delivered the opening remarks. Brunei Ambassador Pengiran Hajah Nooriyah binti Pengiran Haji Yussof delivered congratulatory remarks on behalf of the participating embassies.
The Seoul Friendship Festival 2026 is the largest annual cultural exchange programme among the international cultural festivals held in Seoul. — Htun Htun/KZL

gnlm

The National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon) was established to promote national identity and prestige on the global stage, to safeguard Myanmar’s traditional cultural heritage, and to educate a new generation committed to preserving the culture.

On Friday, Union Minister for Hotels, Tourism and Culture U Maung Myint visited the university and met with the faculties. The Union Minister stressed the crucial role of the university in promoting national prestige and identity.

Emphasizing the government's efforts on promoting and safeguarding the cultural heritage of the country, the Union minister urged all strive for preserving traditional cultural arts and promoting it to the global stage, in cooperation with the government, private and media sector.  The National University of Arts and Culture offers various subjects on arts including literature, motion picture, dramatic play, painting, sculpture, music and theatrical drama.

mitv